Symetrics To Provide Improved Data Modems For U.S. Air Force A-10 Aircraft

Symetrics Industries logo. (PRNewsFoto/Symetrics Industries)

MELBOURNE, FL UNITED STATES

Data link will enhance aircraft's Close Air Support role

Melbourne, FL /PRNewswire/ -- Symetrics Industries announced today a follow-on order from Lockheed Martin in Owego, NY, for additional Improved Data Modems for the Precision Engagement modification of the A-10 aircraft. Lockheed Martin is currently taking deliveries of the "mini-IDM" from Symetrics, and this new order, worth approximately $1 million, will complete the planned retrofit for the entire fleet of nearly 360 aircraft.

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Rick Snyder, Senior VP, Advanced Programs, is very pleased that the mini-IDM will be on board the A-10 fleet. He said, "We are adding new technology like Variable Message Format Close Air Support (CAS) messages to a legacy platform, giving it a new, lethal capability. With this addition the A-10 will be able to receive portable graymap quality coordinates from a forward air controller and execute air strikes." Installation of the mini-IDM into the aircraft will be handled by Lockheed Martin.

The CAS mission is one of the most complex ones the Air Force undertakes. Targets are often mobile and time sensitive, and therefore present a limited window of opportunity. The mini-IDM greatly reduces the time from target identification to attack by using high speed digital messaging instead of voice communications. In one recent demonstration, a CAS mission was accomplished in 25 seconds with the mini-IDM versus five minutes by voice. Cutting down the "kill chain" ensures timely support of troops on the ground.

Snyder stated that the contract requires deliveries to begin later in the year and continue into 2010. He believed it would not require the creation of any new jobs, and said, "This is the production phase of the program, and will not require any increased engineering effort."

The Symetrics mini-IDM is a two-channel, small form factor avionics box that transmits data or imagery over the voice radios resident in the host aircraft. The mini-IDM is part of Symetrics' "Family of IDM Products" that represent over 13 different form factors and installation on over 10 different U.S. military airborne platforms. Symetrics' digital data links have enabled over 3,000 military aircraft the ability to send digital data over the air.

Visit Symetrics on the worldwide Web at http://www.symetrics.com or e-mail at: idm@symetrics.com.

SOURCE Symetrics Industries